Catania – Etna Sparkling Wines 2026

Etna Sparkling Wines 2026. From November 27 to 29, the volcano’s Metodo Classico takes center stage.

Can a region be recognized by its sparkling wines, even while expressing profoundly different styles? This question will be explored through a series of five blind tastings, meetings with producers, and a grand closing event at Palazzo Biscari in Catania. The focus will be on Nerello Mascalese and Carricante and the search for a recognizable identity in the glass.

Now in its eighth edition, Spumanti dell’Etna returns in 2026 with a three-day event dedicated to the classic method of winemaking in the Etna region. A variety of events and experiences—including winery tours, tastings, and opportunities for discussion—will take place from Friday, November 27, through Sunday, November 29, leading up to the closing gala evening, which will be held in the magnificent Baroque hall of Palazzo Biscari in the historic center of Catania.

This event, which has grown and become well-established over the years and is promotedby the Etna Sparkling Wines Association, underscores the product’s positive performance and the constant attention that consumers, industry professionals, and the trade press devote to the production of sparkling wines from the volcano in all their various forms.

The 2026 program consists of five themed blind tasting sessions, designed to explore the various expressions of the Etna Metodo Classico: from Blanc de Noirs to historic productions, from sparkling wines made from white grapes to rosés, and even wines aged for extended periods on the lees. A distinctive feature of the masterclasses will be the inclusion of a few “intruder” wines, sourced from other Italian and international regions and selected for their stylistic similarities. This is a comparison free of labels, designed to transcend preconceptions tied to a wine’s origin and the prestige of its brand, allowing the wine itself to reveal its true character. The goal is to explore the existence of a distinct Etna character that can be discerned in the glass through the various interpretations of the Metodo Classico.

Schedule

Friday, November 27:

• 6:00 p.m., “Etna in Black, ” dedicated to Blanc de Noirs made from Nerello Mascalese.

Saturday, November 28:

• 10:00 a.m., Vineyard tour, Murgo (Santa Venerina)
• 11:00 a.m.“The Origins of an Idea,”a journey through the pioneering wines that contributed to the birth of Etna sparkling wine production.
• 5:00 p.m., Winery tour, Benanti (Viagrande)
• 7:00 p.m. “The White Face of the Volcano, ” an event dedicated to Carricante and its interpretation as a sparkling wine.

Sunday, November 29

• At 11:00 a.m., “Etna in Rosa”will explore the various expressions of rosé made from Nerello Mascalese.
• At 4:00 p.m., “Oltre il tempo,” held at Palazzo Biscari, will be dedicated to extended aging on the lees and the ability of Etna’s Metodo Classico to evolve over time.
• From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the grand tasting event— the grand finale of the festival — will bring together over twenty wineries, guest producers, and leading figures in Sicilian food and wine excellence. It will allow the public to meet the producers in person and discover the various interpretations of the volcano’s sparkling wines, accompanied by a culinary journey curated by numerous Sicilian chefs.

Tickets and information at www.spumantidelletna.it